Bed curtain system with ambient lighting

ABSTRACT

A bed curtain system includes curtains to provide privacy for the user, as well as ambient light using lighting elements such as light emitting diodes (LEDs), which may be controlled to illuminate in different colors, lighting patterns, and intensity. An aroma delivery system may also be included to release relaxing or energizing aromas based on a user preference. The lighting arrangement and aroma delivery may be controlled by the user via a user interface.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to bed curtain systems, and in particular, bed curtain systems including ambient lighting.

BACKGROUND

Hanging bed curtains may be used to provide privacy, decoration, and ambiance. Typically, such curtains are secured to a frame attached to the top of a bed, such as in a four-post bed configuration.

The amount of privacy provided by such bed curtains depends on the opacity of the curtains themselves. Totally opaque curtains may provide a large degree of privacy. However, a totally opaque curtain configuration may obscure light from the rest of the room. The user may desire a degree of lighting for reading, relaxing, or, as some people are not comfortable with total darkness, a degree of security. On the other hand, less opaque curtains will not provide the same degree of privacy, as the occupant(s) of the bed will be at least partially observable to roommates or other people who may enter the bedroom.

Furthermore, the four-post bed arrangement typically used to provide a framework for bed curtains may not be desirable for several reasons, including cost, style, or available space.

It is therefore desirable to provide a bed curtain system that provides a desired amount of illumination and ambiance without sacrificing privacy.

SUMMARY

A bed curtain system is disclosed. The bed curtain system includes multiple bed curtains, each bed curtain including lighting elements. The bed curtains may by completely opaque, or include a substantially translucent portion and a substantially opaque portion.

The bed curtain system may include a railing system to which the curtains are attached and a mechanism to move the bed curtains in response to a user instruction.

The bed curtain system may include a lighting control system to control the lighting intensity, lighting color, lighting pattern, and lighting time of the lighting elements in response to a user instruction.

The system may also include an aroma delivery intensity, ratio, and time in response to a user instructions. The aroma delivery system may include receptacles to accept an aroma capsule, which may be released through a variety of means, including aeration for liquid based capsules or a heating element for solid capsules. The aroma delivery system may intensity, ratio, and time in response to a user instruction

The system may include a user interface to receive user instructions regarding a desired intensity for the lighting elements and release of one or more aromas from the aroma delivery system.

The user controls may be received by a controller through a receiver, which may be hardwired or air interface based. User controls may be entered through a variety of interfaces, including keyboard or voice control.

The bed curtain system may also include an alarm module to provide illumination at a set time and/or control the aroma delivery system to release an aroma at a set time.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a bed curtain system according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a control system for use with a bed curtain system according to an embodiment.

FIG. 3 is block diagram of an exemplary aroma delivery system that may be incorporated into the bed curtain system of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 shows a bed curtain system 100 according to an embodiment. The bed curtain system 100 may include a number of vertically oriented curtains 102 on multiple sides of a bed 104. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the curtains are hung from the ceiling 106 on the two sides of the bed 104 facing the room, whereas the other two sides face a wall. However, in other embodiments the curtains may by positioned on three or all four sides of a standard bed, or otherwise oriented for different bed shapes, e.g., circular. The curtains may include a translucent portion 108 and an opaque portion 110.

A lighting system 112 may be positioned across the top of the curtains to provide illumination. The lighting system in this example is a strand of lighting elements, e.g., light emitting diodes (LEDs), strung along the top of the curtains.

The intensity of the LEDs, as well as the color and lighting pattern (as described below) may be controlled by a controller system 200, as shown in FIG. 2. In alternative embodiments, the lighting system may include strands of LEDs hung or sewn into the curtains vertically. The LED strands may be included on the “inside” face of the curtain(s), i.e., facing the bed, and/or the “outside” face of the curtain(s), i.e., facing the room.

The lighting elements may be capable of providing different colors, lighting intensities, and different lighting patterns. These patterns may include, for example, blinking, twinkling, “wave” patterns, alternating lighting between lighting elements or different lighting strands, etc.

The colors provided by the LEDs may encompass the entire spectrum of visible light. For example, LEDs using the indium gallium nitride (InGaN) system may produce illumination in the blue, green, and cyan color ranges. Together, with other semiconductor materials, such as aluminum gallium indium phosphide (AlInGaP), the entire light spectrum may be reproduced by the LEDs.

The user may interact with a controller system 200, shown in FIG. 2, using various user interface means 202. The interface means 202 may include, for example, a remote control 204 that operates through a directly wired system, infrared (IR) waves, or other various electromagnetic (EM) wave means that may comply with different telecommunication protocols, such as Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11) or Bluetooth (IEEE 802.15). In another embodiment, the user interface 202 may be a “smart home” appliance 206, such as the Alexa™ system provided by Amazon™. The user controls may be entered manually using buttons 208 provided on the remote control 204 or voice activated through the smart home appliance 206. The user commands may be received by a receiver 210 and communicated to the controller 200.

As described above, the curtains may simply be hung from the ceiling 105 using simple hooks 114. Alternatively, the curtains may be secured in a rail system and opened or closed manually and/or mechanically. A motor (not shown) controlled by a mechanical sliding control 212 may be included to open and/or close the curtains along the rails. In this embodiment, the motor may be controlled to move the curtains into certain positions based on commands from the controller 200 in response to a user command via the user interface 202.

In another embodiment, the curtains 102 may be opened or closed vertically using strings encircling the curtains or by other known mechanisms.

The curtains may include latches, hooks, magnetic fasteners, etc., to secure the curtains when the user desires privacy. For decorative purposes, the curtains may be secured using strands of fabric that can be tied in the traditional method.

The curtains may include stitched panels for insertion of rigid or semi-rigid panels in the opaque portion 110 of the curtains 102 to provide a degree of opaqueness, depending on the degree desired by the user. For example, the panels may be inserted and seated in a stitched pocket at the bottom of the curtain. The length of the panel can be determined by the user, from full coverage, or cut to desired length.

The panels may be horizontal or vertical, depending on the orientation of the curtain drawing mechanism.

The bed curtain system 100 may also include an aroma delivery system 300, as shown in FIG. 3. A user may desire aromas to enhance different moods or states, to energize or relax, or may be used to provide a desired atmosphere or ambiance based the user's preference. For example, a lavender and/or rose scent may be used to help a person relax or fall asleep. Alternatively, a peppermint and/or lemon scent may be used to energize a person and assist in waking up.

The aroma delivery system 300 may include one or more receptacles 302 for difference scent capsules. The scent capsules may be solid (e.g., cakes) or liquid (e.g., infused oil).

One or more scent capsules may be inserted into the aroma delivery system 300. The scent capsules may be normally inert. However, when desired, an aroma or combination of aromas, based on a single capsule or a combination of two or more capsules, may be activated by a controller 304 via an aroma delivery device 306. For example, for solid aroma capsules, heat may be applied to release a desired aroma. For liquid aroma capsules, e.g., oil-based aromatics, heat or an aerator system may be used to provide a desired aroma at a desired ratio. Multiple scents may be combined and released at different intensities and ratios based on a user preference, and selected using the user interface device 202.

The user can set various parameters for the bed curtain system through user interface 202 using an alarm system 220. Lighting parameters may be controlled by a lighting control unit 214. For example, if the user wishes to read before going to sleep, the user may set a timer for the lighting elements to remain on full, or near full, intensity for a set amount of time. After a set time, the lighting elements may turn off, or gradually diminish intensity to a degree the user desires. Similarly, with the aroma delivery system 300, a scent may be provided for a set period of time, eventually tapering off or turning off, as the user desires. The aroma may be set as a single aroma or blend the user prefers for relaxing and preparing for sleep.

The lighting system and/or aroma delivery system may also be programmed as an alarm to assist the user in waking. For example, the lighting system may be programmed to increase the intensity of the lighting elements and/or provide a lighting pattern to wake the user, e.g., flashing lights. The aroma delivery system may be programmed to release an energizing aroma or blend, for example, peppermint, lemon, etc., to gradually waken the user. In addition, the curtains may be drawn at a certain time if the motorized rail system is employed. The controller may use a timer, as in conventional alarms, or may use one of a variety of applications that monitor a user's sleep patterns, such as Sleep Cycle provided by Sleep Cycle AB, for a more gradual awakening.

In an embodiment, the controller system may be a learning system that can learn a user's sleeping and/or waking habits. This can include opening and closing the curtains, activating and de-activating the lighting elements and/or aroma delivery system at certain times, or when the system determines that the user is in bed, e.g., through the home appliance microphone functionality. Using the smart home appliance, selected music or alarm sounds may be employed as well. User behavior may be saved to a memory device 216 in the bed curtain system 100, and behavior patterns and preferences determined by a learning module 218.

In an embodiment, the bed curtain system 100 may include an audio sensor 222, e.g., the microphone in the smart home appliance 206, to receive audio signals, e.g., music, and control the lighting elements to change color, lighting pattern, and/or intensity in response to the received audio signals.

Having described and illustrated the principles of the invention with reference to described embodiments, it will be recognized that the described embodiments may be modified in arrangement and detail without departing from such principles.

In view of the many possible embodiments to which the principles of the invention may be applied, I claim as my invention all such embodiments as may come within the scope and spirit of the claims and equivalents thereto.

While the present invention has been related in terms of the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention is not limited to the embodiments depicted. The present invention may be practiced with modification and alteration within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Thus, the description is to be regarded as illustrative instead of restrictive on the present invention.

As will be appreciated by those ordinary skilled in the art, the foregoing example, demonstrations, and method steps may be implemented by suitable code on a processor base system, such as general purpose or special purpose computer. It should also be noted that different implementations of the present technique may perform some or all the steps described herein in different orders or substantially concurrently, that is, in parallel. Furthermore, the functions may be implemented in a variety of programming languages. Such code, as will be appreciated by those of ordinary skilled in the art, may be stored or adapted for storage in one or more tangible machine readable media, such as on memory chips, local or remote hard disks, optical disks or other media, which may be accessed by a processor based system to execute the stored code.

The detailed description is presented to enable a person of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention and is provided in the context of the requirement for obtaining a patent. The present description is the best presently-contemplated method for carrying out the present invention. Various modifications to the preferred embodiment will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art and the generic principles of the present invention may be applied to other embodiments, and some features of the present invention may be used without the corresponding use of other features. Accordingly, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiment shown but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and features described herein. 

1. A bed curtain system comprising: a plurality of bed curtains, each bed curtain comprising one or more lighting elements; an aroma delivery system including one or more receptacles to accept an aroma capsule and means for releasing an aroma from said aroma capsule; a user interface adapted to receive user instructions regarding a desired intensity for the lighting elements and release of one or more aromas from the aroma delivery system; a receiver to receiver said user instructions; and a controller to control the one or more lighting elements and aroma delivery system in response to the user instructions.
 2. The bed curtain system of claim 1, further comprising: a railing system configured to receive the plurality of bed curtains; and a mechanism to move the bed curtains in response to a user instruction.
 3. The bed curtain system of claim 1, wherein the user interface is voice activated.
 4. The bed curtain system of claim 1, further comprising a lighting control operative to control at least one of a lighting intensity, lighting color, lighting pattern, and lighting time of the one or more lighting elements in response to a user instruction.
 5. The bed curtain system of claim 1, wherein the aroma delivery system includes a plurality of receptacles, and a controller operative to release an aroma from a plurality of aroma capsules in at least one of an intensity, ratio, and time in response to a user instruction.
 6. The bed curtain system of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of bed curtains includes an opaque portion and a translucent portion.
 7. The bed curtain system of claim 1, further comprising an acoustic sensor, the acoustic sensor operative to change a lighting pattern including at least one of color, intensity, and lighting pattern in response to sounds received by the sensor.
 8. The bed curtain system of claim 1, further comprising an alarm module.
 9. The bed curtain system of claim 8, wherein the alarm module is operative to provide illumination at a set time.
 10. The bed curtain system of claim 8, wherein the alarm module is operative to release to control the aroma delivery system to release an aroma at a set time. 